Hadrian’s Wall in our Time

Edited by David J. Breeze Illustrated by Mark B. Richards Foreword by Rory Stewart

Book cover: Hadrian’s Wall in our Time

Paperback (Published)

(April 2024)

ISBN: 9781803277349

8.11 x 8.11 inches

Price: $29.99

Out of stock

The cutting down of the tree in Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall caused widespread shock. In a positive response to this sad event, David Breeze invited 80 friends and colleagues to offer personal reflections on their favourite view of the Wall, presented here in a visual celebration with photographs and specially commissioned line dra


The cutting down of the tree in Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall in September 2023 caused widespread shock in Britain and beyond, and for many was felt as a personal loss. Since its appearance in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991, the tree has become the iconic view of Hadrian’s Wall. In a positive response, David Breeze, author of several books on Hadrian’s Wall, invited 80 friends and colleagues to nominate their favourite view of the Wall. The views are presented in a visual celebration with photographs and specially commissioned line drawings, each accompanied by personal reflections. The wide-ranging contributions are testimony to the affection many hold for this evocative Roman frontier.

Foreword Introduction The Tale of a Tree: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall - Jim Crow The Iconic Landscapes of Hadrian's Wall - David Breeze Individual Contributions Before the Wall Hadrian and his Wall Hadrian's Wall from East to West The Cumbrian Coast Soldiers and Sweethearts Religion on the Wall Communication Beyond the Wall Antiquarians and Archaeologists Last Words Envoie Further Reading Acknowledgements and credits List of Contributors,

A Note on Terminology

Foreword – Rory Stewart

 

Introduction

The Tale of a Tree: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall – Jim Crow

The Iconic Landscapes of Hadrian’s Wall – David Breeze

 

Individual Contributions

In the Beginning

Before the Wall

Hadrian and his Wall

Hadrian’s Wall from East to West

The Cumbrian Coast

Soldiers and Sweethearts

Religion on the Wall

Communications

Beyond the Wall

Antiquarians and Archaeologists

Last Words

 

Epilogue – David Breeze

Further Reading

Acknowledgements and Credits

List of Contributors

  • Edited by David J. Breeze
  • Illustrated by Mark B. Richards
  • Foreword by Rory Stewart

'This is a remarkable volume in many ways, not least because of the supplement of affection that inhabits it – but it is, first and foremost, a splendid repository of information, elegantly laid out and clearly presented, and a brilliant entry-level account of what the Wall has to offer to its visitors, whatever their interests and persuasions might be, and of the place it has in the communities that it touches. It should be on the radar of anyone who has even a tangential interest in Roman Britain, and should be warmly recommended to anyone who might be thinking to explore the Wall.' – Federico Santangelo, Newcastle University (2025): Greece & Rome